Rear wiper banished forever!!!!!

[eastender43]

I hated the way the dorky rear wiper looked,and it was only marginally functional....Now I use rain-X.....It sure looks nicer without that exposed wiper hardware screwing up the lines of the hatch.Currently I left the Motor stub in place and capped it with a nice little black vinyl cap...

.After removal,I noted my mileage went up 3.1 mpg!....

Ha!...Just threw that in to get some responses... my next step is to remove the wiper motor completely,and seal the hole in the glass with a nice factory looking plastic cap,siliconed in place....More aero benefits!Ha!

[Rick]

Search for "wiper plug", I posted the part number of a wiper plug used on early 90's Civic VX's where the rear wiper was an option. The plug is the same size and fits perfectly in the Insight. I had mine removed for a while.

[SeanW]

Thanks to Billy, this was one of the first mods I did. I used the plug that Rick mentions and ditched the motor and everything.

Three winters later and I haven't missed it a bit!

[eastender43]

That someone has done about everything before .....tahnks for humoring me on this one....I will try to think of something that hasn't been done......and search it better first!.....Thanks,Though,this is a great board..

And my repaired 2002 Red is great,86K,55.2 LMPG,original tires,Wisconsin winters!

[Rick]

Ok something that hasn't been done before..... custom rear trim that doesn't have the buldge for the wiper motor

Now that would be a feat.

[Resist]

The bad thing about removing the rear wiper is now you have to stop to remove gunk (like bird poop).

[ericbecky]

Originally Posted by eastender43

And my repaired 2002 Red is great,86K,55.2 LMPG,original tires,Wisconsin winters!

eastender,
So what part of Wisconsin are you in? It'd be interesting to see that mod in person sometime.

[eastender43]

I live in Amery....work in Durand....race bikes all over,including Madison...Funny,there is another red Insight in the Amery area,but I rarely see it.....It only requires the removal of one nut,with a 10 mm wrench ,to remove the arm....Just flip up the cover at the base of the arm,unscrew the nut,then wiggle the arm to get it to release from the splines,and presto,no more ugly wiper...I can send you the nice little vinyl widget I used to cover the bare spline...for free,I have dozens...also could send a photo of the mod as is...Best,Bob

[Aaron Cake]

Now how do you clean the rear window in the winter?

[eastender43]

I scrape/brush the hatch glass clean before I start driving;on the road it seems to stay quite clear due to the aerodynamics.My driving is all rural highways,with no stops.The wiper was pretty poor at moving snow anyhow.Plus there is the hotwire defrost,and 2 door mirrors....Frankly,it hasn't been a problem.And clearing the hatch glass is alot easier with the wiper gone....plus I feel like I removed a sliver from the Insight's paw...